Read -- Proverbs 3:5-6

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

My good Christian friend, Audrey, used to tell me, "There are no coincidences with God." To use the King James vernacular, "What did she meaneth?" I believe she was trying to tell me that with God nothing occurs by chance or accident. And the word, "happenstance" does not exist in God's dictionary.

In Proverbs 3:5-6 in the New King James version we read, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths [or make them straight]." And in Jeremiah 10:23 we read, "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."

One Saturday morning I received an early morning wake up call from my pastor's wife. We were planning to meet for an all day conference dealing with Christianity vs. Islam and she was calling to give me new instructions or directions to the church where we were to meet. I had no problems finding the church because I chose to follow her directions.

In Proverbs 20:24 we read, "A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" I believe my attendance at the conference was God ordained. He spoke to me several times through the speaker revealing to me that I was on the right path and headed in the right direction.

God will direct our paths if we learn to trust and acknowledge Him as God. During the conference the speaker talked a little about us, as Christians, being the hands and feet of Jesus. I truly believe the saying about God putting people in our lives for a reason, for a season, and even some for a lifetime. On this occasion I believe he brought the speaker into my life for a reason; i.e. to encourage me, to educate me about the religion of Islam, and to stimulate me to action.

After our meeting, I decided to go shopping at one of the local thrift stores when God caused me to cross paths with two ladies; a mother and her teenage daughter. There I was minding my own business looking at the titles of the used books when the older lady approached the clerk near me and asked if they provided any delivery service. I could not help but overhear the conversation and sense the disappointment in her voice when she was told that no such service was available. She went on to say, "I will pay somebody."

I know it was God because I usually do not speak to strange women in thrift stores, but I felt compelled to inquire of her. She explained that she wished to purchase a love seat, but did not have a way to get it to her apartment. At first I thought she had a car and only needed someone to haul the love seat. But then I learned she had no car and had rode the bus to the store. That particular day I was driving my little Nissan pickup and so I went to see if the love seat would fit. Sure enough my pickup was built for such an item as that.

I thank God for my fifteen-year-old pickup and for directing me to that particular store. I had debated whether I should go there or to one of two other stores. The thought never crossed my mind that God would use me and my pickup when I walked into the store. My intentions were purely self-centered for I was searching for bargains and material things for myself. God did bless me with a "new" hardcover edition of the "Message Bible," which I purchased for only a dollar. However, the bigger spiritual blessing came when He provided me with the opportunity to be His hands and feet. Our trip to the women's apartment lasted only eight blocks, yet I know it will be etched in my memory for many years to come.

During our drive I shared that I was a Christian and the reason I was in town was because I had attended a Christian conference that morning. I learned that she and her daughter worked at a local movie theater and that they shared a small apartment. She thanked me several times for helping her get their "new" love seat home. The love seat was old and dirty, yet it meant so much to the lady who had no living room furniture. She said they had been using a coffee table with a couple of cushions on it for a couch.

Before saying goodbye, God prompted me to give the ladies a small gift. I was a little hesitant for I did not know how they would react, but felt led to give each of them an ink pen containing the message, "Smile. Jesus Loves You!" Yes, He truly does love us. I pray we would learn to trust Him and acknowledge His presence in our lives. May God richly bless you as you allow Him to direct your paths and as you reach out to others with the love of Jesus. Amen.

WE ARE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS


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